New data showes a robust response from a one-time dose of a long-acting antibody combination from AstraZeneca. The treatment is intended for those who do not get an adequate response to Covid-19 vaccine.
In one trial, a dose of AZD7442 reduced the risk of developing symptomatic Covid-19 compared to placebo by 83%.
About 2% of the world’s population is considered at increased risk of not gaining a sufficient immune response to Covid-19 vaccine.
This includes people with blood cancers or other cancers being treated with chemotherapy, patients on dialysis, those taking medications after an organ transplant, or people who are taking immunosuppressive drugs for conditions including multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.
There were no cases of severe Covid-19 or Covid-19-related deaths in those treated with AZD7442 at either the primary or six-month analyses.
On the placebo side of the trial, there were two additional cases of severe Covid-19 at the six-month assessment, for a total of five cases of severe Covid-19 and two Covid-related deaths.
About 6,000 people participated in two trials of the antibody treatment.
Hugh Montgomery, professor of intensive care medicine at University College London, and AZD7442 principal investigator, said: “These compelling results give me confidence that this long-acting antibody combination can provide my vulnerable patients with the long-lasting protection they urgently need to finally return to their everyday lives. Importantly, six months of protection was maintained despite the surge of the Delta variant among these high-risk participants who may not respond adequately to vaccination.”
On 5 October, AstraZeneca announced that it had submitted a request to the US Food and Drug Administration for Emergency Use Authorization for AZD7442.
AstraZeneca has agreed to supply the US Government with 700,000 doses of AZD7442 if granted an Emergency Use Authorization by the FDA and has agreements to supply to other countries.
AstraZeneca employs about 1,500 in Delaware.